About Te Āwhina Marae o Motueka

Te Āhurewa - The Altar

The first modern building on site at Te Āwhina Marae was Te Āhurewa Church. This church was built in 1897 to replace Te Āmate the original Church, which was burned down. A memorial plaque honouring Te Āmate is nearby. This historic and much loved building hosts a church service every third Sunday of the month. Te Āhurewa has an historic Places Trust Registration.

Te Āwhina Wharekai (Dining Hall)

The wharekai or dining room at Te Āwhina Marae was opened in 1958 to provide a facility for the Maori community and in particular, seasonal workers who had come from all over the country to harvest tobacco and hops. Part of this building was originally the Hau Road School and was gifted to Te Āwhina Marae.

Logo

The two main figures represent the two iwi of the Motueka region, Ngāti Rārua and Te Ātiawa.

Hoturoa on the right was the captain of the Tainui waka (canoe) from which Ngāti Rārua people descend. Awangaiariki on the left was the navigator of the Tokomaru waka from which Te Ātiawa people descent.

The small face at the bottom is Turangaapeke, the ancestor our wharenui (meeting house) is named after. The encompassing circle depicts the embracing of all people and all cultures.

Turangāpeke Wharenui - Meeting House

Turangāpeke Wharenui was opened in 1990. The Master carver of the Wharenui is John Mutu from Ngāti Mutunga, Ngāti Tama. Many of the Kowhaiwhai and Tukutuku panels were created by students attending courses at Te Awhina.

Kaumatua Flats

Six Kaumatua Flats were opened in 1992, to provide low cost and secure housing for Kaumatua

Kawa

The kawa for Te Āwhina is Tae Nga Kawa - the tangata whenua start with their whaikorero, the manuhiri put forward all of their speakers and when they have finished the tangata whenua provide the final whaikorero.